Hybrid permanent magnets

ABSTRACT

Magnetized transition elements are provided between the magnetized elements that define the cavity of the structure. The magnitudes and directions of the fields of these transition elements are arranged so that the external boundary of the transition elements are equipotential surfaces, and the induction in the transition elements is zero. Separate return yokes are provided for the magnetized elements adjacent the transition elements, that do not contact the transition elements.

This invention relates to hybrid magnetic structures, i.e. magnetic structures wherein at least a part of the structure is provided with a yoke and at least another part of the structure is yokeless.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Permanent magnetic structures, for example for the generation of a uniform magnetic field in a cavity, are known. Such structures are described, for example, in my publication "Optimum Design of Two-Dimensional Permanent Magnets", T.R. 21, NYU Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, Oct. 15, 1989, and magnetic structures of this type that require yokes are described, for example, in my copending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 07/591,458, filed Oct. 1, 1990.

In the design of such yoked magnets, it is sometimes inconvenient to provide means for accessing the cavity in the magnetic structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the provision of a magnetic structure of the hybrid type, wherein a yoke is provided for a part of the structure, and the remainder thereof is yokeless. It has been found that such an arrangement provides certain advantages, such as simplifying the access to the cavity of the magnetic structure.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the invention. magnetized transition elements are provided between the magnetized elements that define the cavity of the structure. The magnitudes and directions of the fields of these transition elements are arranged so that the external boundary of the transition elements are equipotential surfaces, and the induction in the transition elements is equal to zero.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a conventional yoked magnetic structure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the lines of force of the magnetic induction in a quadrant of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a quadrant of a magnetic structure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a vector diagram illustrating the determination of parameters of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a quadrant of a magnetic structure according to FIG. 3, and including a designation of a yoke for a portion thereof;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a quadrant of a magnetic structure that is a modification of the structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vector diagram illustrating the determination of parameters of the structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section of a magnetic structure, for explaining the general case of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a hybrid structure in accordance with the invention, illustrating the use of independent yokes; and

FIG. 10 is the cross sectional view of a modification of the structure of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A uniform magnetic field can always be generated within a prismatic cavity of arbitrary geometry by means of a structure of uniformly magnetized prisms that enclose the cavity. In such a cavity, one face of each prism coincides with one face of the prismatic cavity, and another face of each prism coincides with the internal surface of an external yoke of high magnetic permeability that totally encloses the magnetic structure.

An example of a yoked magnet composed of uniformly magnetized prisms is shown in FIG. 1 in the particular case of a prismatic cavity 20 with a regular hexagonal cross section. The intensity H_(O) of the uniform magnetic field within the cavity 20 of FIG. 1 is perpendicular to a face 21 of the cavity and the remanences J_(i) (i =1,2,3,4,5) of the magnetized prisms 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, respectively, have the same magnitude J_(O). The heavy line in FIG. 1 represents the internal boundary of the magnetic yoke 37. The height 2y_(l) of the magnetic structure is related to the dimension 2y_(O) of the hexagonal cavity between the opposite faces 21, 38, by the equation; ##EQU1## where K is a design parameter defined by: ##EQU2## where in MKS units μ_(O) =4·10⁻⁷ H/m.

The first quadrant of the magnet cross section of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. Remanence J₁ is parallel to the axis y and remanence J₂ is oriented at an angle 2Θ with respect to the y axis, where Θ is the angle between axis x and the interface 39 between the cavity and the prism 32 with remanence J₂. In the particular example of the regular hexagonal cavity of FIG. 1: ##EQU3##

A characteristic feature of the yoked magnets of the type of FIG. 1 is the presence of the triangular areas 40, 41, 42, 43 of either air or "non-" magnetic material that separate the magnetized prisms. For example, in FIG. 2, the two prisms 31 (S₀ S₁ W₁ V₀) and 32 (S₁ S₂ V₁) are separated by the "non" magnetic region (S₁ V₁ W₁)

FIG. 2 shows the lines of flux of the magnetic induction:

    B =J +μ.sub.0 H                                         (4)

The flux of B within the cavity 20 reaches the external yoke 37 in the quadrant of FIG. 2 only within the two segments (V_(O) W₁) and (S₂ W₂). Within the area (S₁ W₂ V₁ W₁), i.e. the area 40 and a portion of the area 32, the flux B circulates between the yoke and the magnetic structure outside of the cavity. In other words the area (S₁ W₂ V₁) of the prism 32 of remanence J₂ does not contribute to the flux of B within the cavity, and represents a waste of the energy stored in the magnetic material of the yoked magnet. This situation is similar to the fringe field area of a conventional permanent magnet where a fraction of the energy stored in the magnetic material is wasted outside of the region of interest.

Assume that the area (S₁ W₂ V₁) of the prism 32 of remanence J₂ is eliminated, and a new component 45 of magnetic material of remanence J₇ and cross sectional area (S₁ W₂ W₁) is inserted in the magnetic structure as shown in FIG. 3. Remanence J₇ is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the side (W₁ W₂) and satisfies the condition:

    J.sub.7 =-μ.sub.) H.sub.7 (5)

where H₇ is the intensity in the area (S₁ W₂ W₁). Thus the magnetization of the new component 45 is such that no flux of B is generated in the area (S₁ W₂ W₁). The two media 31, 47 are limited by surfaces which are parallel to the magnetic induction in the respective medium, and the transition between these two media is effected by a body of remanence J₇.

Boundary 46 (W₁ W₂) of the new component of remanence J₇ is an equipotential surface with the same potential as the magnet yoke. By definition, B is zero in the area (S₁ W₂ W₁) and, as a consequence, boundary 46 (W₁ W₂) can be the interface between the medium of remanence J₇ and the external "non"-magnetic medium. Thus, in the ideal limit of infinite magnetic permeability, one can arbitrarily select the geometry of the external yoke of the magnet, as long as it closes the flux B generated by the magnetic structure.

The magnitude of remanence J₇ is determined by the vector diagram of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a vector diagram illustrating the conditions existing in the arrangement of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a particular case of the general technique for determining the parameters of a magnetic structure. In this figure, circle C₁ has a diameter corresponding to the magnitude of the magnetization J₇ , the vector J₁ l corresponding to the direction between the diametrically opposite point N₁ and N₀ on the circle C₁. A point A is located on the line N₁ N₀, such that the vector AN₀ corresponds to the intensity of the field H₀ generated in the cavity. The vector AN₁, is oriented in the direction opposite to vector AN₀, and this vector corresponds to H₁, the intensity in the region 31 of remanence J₁ .

A vector AN₂ is constructed to a point on the circle C₁ corresponding to the intensity of the field in the region of remanence J₂, and a diameter N₂ N₃ is drawn in the circle, corresponding to the remanence of the material J₂ . (The magnitude of the remanence J₂ must be equal in magnitude J₁ . The magnitude and direction of the vector AN₃ correspond to the induction in the region of remanence J₂).

A line L₁ is constructed perpendicular to the line N₁ N₀ at the point N₁, and a line L₂ is constructed perpendicular to AN₃ at the point N₂. The intersection N₄ of lines L₁ and L₂ is the origin of vector J₇ whose tip coincides with point A.

The vector J₇ is oriented perpendicular to side (W₁ W₂) of the new component 45 and, in general, its magnitude is different from J₀. Only in the particular case:

    K =1/2                                                     (6)

one has:

    J.sub.7 =J.sub.0                                           (7)

In this case, the magnetic structure in the first quadrant has the geometry shown in FIG. 5 wherein, by virtue of Eq. 1:

    y.sub.0 /y.sub.1 =1/2                                      (8)

In FIG. 5, a rectangular shape has been selected for the external yoke 60 of the magnet which does not contact the (S₂ W₂) boundary of the magnetized prism 47 of remanence J₂ . Thus the fluxes of B across segments (V₀ W₁) and (S₂ W₂) can be closed through the fourth quadrant of the magnet cross-section independently of one another. The dotted lines (S₁ V₁) and (S₂ V₁) in FIG. 5 correspond to the triangular component of remanence J₂ of the original yoked structure of FIG. 1. The reduction in the area of magnetized material resulting from the insertion of the component of remanence J₇ is quite apparent.

The replacement of region (S₁ W₂ V₁ W₁) of the yoked magnet with components of a yokeless structure can be done using a magnetic material that has the same remanence J₀ as the rest of the magnet. This results in the structure of FIG. 6 comprised of the two elements 61 (S₁ W₃ W₁) and 62 (S₁ W₂ W₃) of remanence J₈ and J₉ whose magnitude is equal to J₀. The calculation of the directions of J₈ and J₉ is illustrated by the vector diagram of FIG. 7.

Since the remanences J₈ and J₉ have the magnitude J₀, a circle C₂ of radius J₀ is drawn with a center at the point A. The line L₁ intersects the circle C₂ at point N₈ and the line L₂ intersects the circle C₂ at point N₉. The vector N₈ A now corresponds in direction and magnitude to the remanence J₈ , and the vector N₉ A corresponds in direction and magnitude to the remanence J₉ .

The remanences J₈ and J₉ are perpendicular to sides (W₁ W₃) and (W₃ W₂) respectively and they satisfy the conditions:

    J.sub.8  =-μH.sub.8  and J.sub.9  -μH.sub.9          (9)

where H₈ and H⁹ are the intensities within the two yokeless components. Again the dotted lines in FIG. 7 emphasize the reduction of the area of magnetized material resulting from the elimination of the cut wedges of known yoked magnets.

When the points W₁, W₂ are joined to form a single triangle, the magnitude of J₇ l must be different from J₀, in general. Only in the particular case when K =1/2, can the magnitude of J₇ be equal to J0, to provide the arrangement of FIG. 5 wherein the external interface is straight. If it is desired to build the transition unit with a medium which has the same magnitude J0 as the rest of the magnetic structure, then the transition in general cannot have the shape of single triangle, that is, two triangular sections are needed as shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 5 and 6 represent particular cases of the structure in accordance with the invention. In a general case, this principle can be expanded, as will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. In general, when a yoked structure is designed around a polygonal boundary of the cavity, each element of magnetized material which carries a fraction of the flux which flows into the cavity is in a general case a quadrangle limited on one side by the interface with the cavity, represented by the side (S_(h-1) S_(h)) in FIG. 8. The other side of the element is limited by an equipotential line of zero potential, which constitutes the interface with the yoke 70, i.e. the line (U_(h) U_(h+1)) The other two sides, (S_(h-1) U_(h)) and (S_(h) pl U_(h+1)) are parallel to one another and parallel to the magnetic induction in that element of magnetized material. Consequently all of the magnetized materials that interface with the cavity have this form. In the particular case where point U_(h+1) collapses to the point S_(h), as in the arrangement of FIG. 3, the quadrangle becomes a triangle.

The external boundaries of all the magnetized material elements, such as the elements 71 and 72, are joined together by transition elements, such as the elements 73, 74, which satisfy the condition that, inside the respective transition element, the induction is equal to zero. Since the magnetic induction is zero, the intensity of the magnetic field is equal and opposite to the magnetization.

In the most general formulation of the magnetic structure, the external boundary of the elements of magnetized material which carry the flux in the cavity must be confined by a magnetic yoke, i.e. by a body of infinite or very high permeability. All of the transition elements, such as the transition element (S_(h-1) 1 U_(h) U_(h-1)), where the induction is equal to zero and where the external boundary is by definition an equipotential surface of zero potential, do not need any yoke to confine the field, so the boundary of the respective transition unit can be directly interfaced with the external medium, such as air.

The flux which goes into the cavity and into the magnetized elements and thence into a yoke must close somewhere. With respect to these elements, the yoke should close the magnetic path in a manner symmetrical with respect to the plane y =0. There is no reason, however, in accordance with the invention, for requiring a single yoke which interfaces with all of the magnetized components. Consequently, in accordance with the invention, a hybrid magnetic structure can be provided having a plurality of independent yokes.

For example, FIG. 9 illustrates the cross section of a complete magnetic structure corresponding to the quadrant thereof illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the magnetized elements in the second, third and fourth quadrants are identified by reference numerals common to those of the first quadrant, but with prime, double prime, and triple prime marks, respectively. In this structure, one yoke 80 is positioned to close the magnetic path between the opposite magnetized element, thereby completely surrounding the structure but not contacting the other magnetized elements, so as to be symmetric with respect to the plane y=0. A separate independent yoke 81 is provided, also symmetric with respect to the plane y=0, forming a return path between the elements 47, 47'" and the elements 47', 47". No yoke is provided for the elements 45, 45', 45" and 45'".

The geometrical shape of the yokes is not of importance, since the permeability thereof is extremely high. For example, each of the yokes can extend around the perimeter of the magnetic structure, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the yoke may be shaped to extend around one side of the magnetic structure The yoke doesn't have to close on any specific side of the structure.

This arrangement permits the provision of an open structure. Since the transition elements are magnetically transparent, the cavity can interact with effects external thereof without breaking and entering the magnetic structure. Such a feature is not possible with the yoked arrangement of the prior art, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

While the invention has been disclosed and described with reference to a single embodiment, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made therein, and it is therefore intended in the following claims to cover each such variation and modification as falls within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. In a magnet structure having a plurality of magnetized prisms arranged with flat sides defining the sides of a cavity, for providing a uniform magnetic field in the cavity, the improvement wherein said magnetized prisms are shaped to have substantially no regions that do not contribute to flux in said cavity, and further comprising magnetized transition elements between said magnetized prisms, said transition elements being positioned so that they do not define sides of said cavity, whereby a part of the external surface of said structure is defined by said transition elements, the magnitude and directions of the fields of said transition elements producing an equipotential surface at the external surface thereof, the induction in said transition elements being equal to zero, said structure further comprising a plurality of separate yokes coupled between predetermined ones of said prisms and not contacting said transition elements.
 2. The magnetic structure of claim 1 wherein said prisms are triangular prisms.
 3. The magnetic structure of claim 2 wherein said transition elements are triangular prism shaped.
 4. The magnetic structure of claim 3 wherein a single transition element is positioned between each pair of adjacent said prisms.
 5. The magnetic structure of claim 3 wherein two transition elements are positioned between each pair of adjacent said prisms. 